Lochaber
A poor day on the tops in Lochaber, with burns likely to be in spate and sleet or snow up high.
Sunshine and sky
Extensive cloud. Cloud is likely to remain extensive for much of the day.
These are direct modelled sunshine hours during daylight, not the probability of sunshine. Cloud cover and summit cloud are assessed separately in the forecast above. The regional median prevents one unusually bright or dull summit cell defining the whole area.
Overnight forecast: 17:00–08:00 (UK local time), in Wild camping below.
High-ground wind (900 m)
At around 900 m, expect a south-westerly wind of 20–30 mph, gusting 25–35 mph. Gusts like that will be noticeable on ridges and open tops, and you will chill quickly when you stop.
Walking impact
Gusts of 25–35 mph will be noticeable on ridges and open tops, and you will chill quickly when you stop.
Ground conditions
The ground is likely to be wet after recent rain.
Spate risk
High spate risk based on forecast rainfall. Burns and unbridged crossings may become difficult or impassable. Timing and severity can vary between catchments. Check the peak forecast for the separate rain/runoff periods. Turn back if a crossing looks unsafe.
Rain and showers
Sleet or snow is possible on the tops. Drizzle sets in around midday and becomes heavier through the afternoon. Expect 2–5 mm in total, measured as melted water, so any snow would lie deeper. Rain is possible during the main walking period, but forecast models disagree on whether it will fall. On some hills, sleet or snow is possible on the tops, with the balance depending on temperature. On some hills, cloud may make navigation difficult, with very poor visibility in wetter spells.
Cloud-free summits
Clear-summit estimate: about 20% early, about 20% around midday and about 10% later.
Cloud and visibility
Expect many summits to be in cloud for most of the day. The cloud base could be as low as 500–800 m in the early evening. In cloud you'll be finding your way without landmarks, so carry navigation you trust and know how to use, with a backup such as a spare battery or a map and compass.
Temperature and wind chill
At around 900 m it will be 0 to 4°C, feeling like -6 to -2°C in the wind. Take a hat, gloves, a windproof and a spare warm layer. Pack waterproofs too, and keep a warm layer dry in your pack.
Freezing level
The freezing level is around 1000–1300 m, so it will be below freezing on the tops.
Daylight
Sunrise 07:36, Sunset 18:36, about 11.0 hours daylight.
Overnight · 17:00–08:00Wild campingBetaToo windy for an exposed pitch above about 600 m on some hills (gusts of about 45 mph and heavy rain, around 25 mm). Lower down, a poor night to camp on open ground. 34/100Poor · 600 m View detailsHide details
Full regional overnight outlook
Too windy for an exposed pitch above about 600 m on some hills. Lower down, a poor night to camp on open ground. Gusts reach about 45 mph around 900 m and nearer 30 mph around 300 m, which makes for a noisy, testing night even in a good tent. Check the forecast for the hill and height you have in mind, and don't assume lower ground will be sheltered. About 24 mm of rain is forecast overnight. Above about 600 m you'd likely be in cloud for part of the night: damp, and hard to find your way if you need to move. Overnight lows of about 4°C at 900 m.
Moon overnight
Waning crescent moon
- Illuminated disc
- 3%
- Moonrise
- 06:09 next morning BST
- Moonset
- 17:44 BST
Cloud and terrain vary across the area. Illumination describes the sunlit part of the Moon, not brightness at your pitch.
Overnight window: 8 Oct, 17:00 BST to 9 Oct, 08:00 BST. Approximate open-horizon times; hills can hide the Moon. Still take a headtorch.
Representative location: 56.797, -5.004. Times vary across the area.
Elevation reference (open ground)
- Wind / gust
- 16 mph / 30 mph
- Coldest
- 6.2°C
- In cloud
- 0% of modelled night
- Condensation
- High
- Wind / gust
- 20 mph / 37 mph
- Coldest
- 5.7°C
- In cloud
- 100% of modelled night
- Condensation
- High
- Wind / gust
- 23 mph / 43 mph
- Coldest
- 3.8°C
- In cloud
- 100% of modelled night
- Condensation
- High
Open-hillside guidance across representative hills. Local shelter, ridges, tent design and the exact pitch can change conditions substantially. Read about sleeping-bag comfort ratings, pitching in strong winds or using the wild-camping forecast.
Daytime · exposed rockClimbing & scramblingBetaSnow is likely to be lying on some high ground, with further snowfall possible. Wet rock is likely. Gusts near 35 mph may affect balance on exposed rock. 0/100Poor · Very poor View detailsHide details
Regional climbing & scrambling outlook
A broad guide to dampness and exposed rock across the area, not a forecast for every crag. Lower, sheltered crags and individual rock types may behave differently.
Conditions for exposed scrambling across the area look very poor (0/100). Rain is likely to leave rock wet. Polished slabs, vegetation and drainage lines may be notably worse. Gusts may reach about 35 mph on exposed ground, making crosswinds an important route consideration. Mapped summit-point geology across the representative hills includes psammite, pelite or semipelite, granite, gneiss or gabbro and volcanic rock. Rock can therefore respond differently to moisture between crags and routes.
Representative summit-point samples across the region; individual crags and routes may differ.
Generic exposed hands-on-rock terrain across representative summits; mapped summit-point geology is a broad regional sample, not a named-route survey. Contains British Geological Survey materials © UKRI 2026. How to use the climbing and scrambling forecast.
Recommended kit for this dayWeather-aware packing prompts, plus your core hillwalking kitView kit
For a day hillwalk, not a complete route-specific checklist. Carry navigation and backup you can use, warm and waterproof layers, suitable footwear, food and water, a headtorch, emergency shelter, first aid and a way to call for help. Snow, ice, technical terrain and overnight trips need additional equipment and skills.
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Weather data: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0). Adapted by Mountain Weather.
Updated 8 October 2026 at 15:30 UTC. See typical weekly and monthly conditions for Lochaber.